Poems (Kennedy)/The Cup
THE CUP
YEA, it is bitter; did you think to find It was all sweet?The Marah-taste is in each liquid drop Your lips must meet.
For you are part of human woe and weal, And you must drain—Down to the leaden lees that drug the draught— The cup of pain.
Nor must you seek to put it by; that were The coward's part;Your lips may tremble as you drink, but brave Must be your heart.
But know this for a truth: or crystal clear Or warm wine-red,Christ quaffed the self same cup in ages past; Therefore be comforted.
No bitterer for you the draught prescribed Than that for Him;And know, that where his pale lips touched, He left A blessing on the rim.
A blessing that your sorrow-clouded eyes Have not yet read,But it will be revealed in years to come.—Drink, And be comforted.